MADE LOCAL: North Dakota Entrepreneurs Stir Up Success with Spice and Stone-Ground Flour

This week on Made Local with Lori Hinz, we meet two North Dakota innovators who’ve turned passion and perseverance into small business success. First, we follow the journey of Jayson Parsons, the creative force behind Jaydobo Seasonings, based in Hebron. What began as a fun way to flavor campfire meals with friends quickly became a sought-after product. Encouraged by rave reviews, Jayson leaned into his craft during the 2020 lockdowns, perfecting his spice blends through trial and error. Today, he still hand-mixes and bottles his bold, homemade seasonings, bringing heat and heart to kitchens across the region.
Next, we travel to Tappen, where Kristen Countess and her family built Mercy Milling on their fourth-generation organic farm. After struggling to sell their wheat crop, her father suggested they mill it themselves. That leap of faith paid off. In early 2024, Mercy Milling launched with stone-ground, pesticide-free flour and wheat berries that health-conscious bakers can grind at home. Their vendor booths have become local favorites—thanks in part to their irresistible chocolate chip cookies made with their own flour. With a crown in their logo and Scripture at their foundation, Mercy Milling is rooted in both tradition and faith.
These Made Local stories are a powerful reminder that hard work, creativity, and hometown values still lead the way.